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We're looking for any reports on tonight's TNA house show in Wallingford, CT (Jeff Hardy vs. Mr. Anderson for the TNA title, Jay Lethal vs Kazarian vs. Robbie E for the X title, Madison Rayne vs. Mickie James for Knockouts title, Beer Money vs. Ink Inc.) at
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There will also be a Raw house show Friday night in Augusta, GA and a TNA house show is Westbury, Long Island (Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Morgan for TNA title, Lethal vs. Kazarian for X title, Rayne vs. James for knockouts title) .

Saturday will be a Raw house show in Montgomery, AL and a Smackdown house show in Lexington.

Sunday will be TNA Genesis from Orlando which is TNA's best wrestling lineup on PPV in several months:

Matt Morgan vs. Mr. Anderson for the No. 1 contendership for the TNA title

WWE also has a Sunday night Raw house show in Memphis and a Smackdown house show in Knoxville.

Monday is the live Raw from Nashville. There is a rare Monday night Smackdown house show in Huntsville.

Tuesday is the Smackdown and NXT tapings in Birmingham.

And if you haven't seen Henderson vs. Pettis, the 12/16 show airs at 9 p.m. Eastern and 6 p.m. Pacific on Versus.

The traditional biggest issue of the year, the 2011 awards issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter will be coming out in a few weeks. If you subscribe either to the web site or to the print newsletter, all subscriptions will include the double awards issue in a few weeks.

We've got the most detailed coverage of the UFC and Strikeforce heavyweight divisions in 2011, looking at the Strikeforce tournament, the Cain Velasquez injury, the situation with Junior Dos Santos and Brock Lesnar, and more as headline stories in this coming week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

We also look at the New Year's Eve show in Japan, the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, Royal Rumble notes, and Chael Sonnen legal issues and future in the current issue.

The issue is available on the web site right now for web site members, and you can also get the Observer by mail with details below.

We look at exactly what went down with Sonnen that got him into trouble, details of the con game, what is likely to happen to him, the UFC reaction, what UFC plans were for him and more.

We also look at an update on the injuries to Cain Velasquez, how long he'll be out, who Junior Dos Santos wants to face next and what could be potentially the second biggest UFC PPV match in history.

We also look at Royal Rumble plans, and how a unique WWE streak is continuing with the show.

We've got full coverage of UFC 125 from Las Vegas, looking at the judging in the Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard fight. We look at how the judges scored it, how we scored it, the stats on the key rounds, judging based on different criteria, poll results on not only the show, but also on Edgar vs. Maynard, as well as who people think should get the next title shot, and who people most want to pay to see get the next title shot. The results in that sense were very interesting.

We look at the show, with early PPV estimates, business notes, how the prelims did on Ion and what lessons that showed.

We've also got match-by-match coverage as well as listed pay for each match.

We also have an extensive article on the MMA scene in Japan, why it is what it is, and if this is a predictor of what happens down the line in the U.S. We look at the Japanese culture when it comes to stars, the real story behind the New Year's Eve show, the future of FEG and what Sadaharu Tanigawa said this past week about what is next. We talk about the exportation of different promotions overseas, the plight of Alistair Overeem, who a major agency in Japan is trying to market as the next breakout star, and the status of Antonio Inoki.

We also have match-by-match coverage from the Dynamite! show.

We've got an update on Tough Enough plans for its return in April. We talk about the format of the show, who will be on the show, and the business behind the show.

We also look at Awesome Kong in WWE, an update on John Cena's injuries, when the Raw ratings annual January bounce back is expected, more notes on this coming year's WrestleMania, what behind the scenes story to follow for 2011, update on Martha Hart lawsuit against WWE, what wrestler seemingly gets punished for remarks on twitter, WWE former performers looking at touring together, Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn do major stock sales, another WWE performer leaving, while one is returning. We also look at the business notes over the past week and highlights of all the WWE house shows this past week.

We've also got coverage of the New Japan show at the Tokyo Dome this year, including attendance, the Northeast tour, and the TNA involvement along with match-by-match coverage.

We've also got a complete look at the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament, including plans for the rest of the tournament, bracketing, television coverage, alternates if someone gets hurt, Fedor Emelianenko's new contract and the Strikeforce vs. UFC war.

We've got ratings of all the national shows including how ever segment on Raw did this past week.

We also have our usual weekly features with results of the major arena shows from around the world, and the major TV show rundowns and reviews.

The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world.

Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and hasthe most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 28th year of being the leading insiderpro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling industry as well as the MMA industry, frombookers, to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest current names, both on camera, and behind the scenes, along withthousands of readers in all 50 states and 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed as long as 20 years or more straight. They get the mostdetailed and inside coverage of what is going on all over the world and an accuracy from having the most inside sources that can't be found onthe web. Everyone from Wall Street to the major offices to the TV networks in U.S. and Japan turn to the Observer for what is going on inthe business. If you are a new subscriber ordering 24 or more issues, you can get one free classic issue of your choice sent to you today. With a40 issue subscription, you can get two free classic issues sent to you today. Just send your Visa or Master Card order with your name, address,phone number, Visa or Master Card number and an expiration date to
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or you can order by faxing that information to 408-244-3402. You can also subscribe via paypal at www.paypal.com and using the
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address orsubscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228,Campbell, CA 95009-1228.

Also in this week's issue:

--Notes on Dragon Gate's next U.S. swing

--Longest reigning major champion drops title on first show of the year

--All Japan's annual Battle Royals

--Arrest of Nick Gage for bank robbery

--Rulon Gardner and the Biggest Loser

--Former WWE star and problems on indie scene

--King Curtis Iaukea's first run in Australia

--What pro wrestlers have had statutes made of them in their home town

--More on Jeff Hardy story

--TNA star gets surgery this past week and has a bad reaction in surgery

--Mickie James talks her WWE departure and doing country music

--Chuck Liddell's new role

--Notes on the 4/30 UFC show in Toronto

--Evaluating Couture vs. Machida

--Urijah Faber's UFC debut

--Jose Aldo's return

--Cowboy Cerrone's UFC debut

--Lots of new UFC fights

--Sengoku year-end show coverage

New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues can get free issues from the last 18 years. You can get 2 free back issues by ordering 40 or moreissues and one for 24. Let us know which stories you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We'vegot coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 18 years, as well as our biggestissue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues inour history are:

*November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famouswrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus ahistory of in-ring double-crosses)*December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversationright before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what wassaid--the conversation played in edited form both on the inauguralbroadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, buteverything that was said between the two about the match that was goingto take place that same night)

*April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally,the death of the regional territories and the rise of HulkHogan)

*May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall ofLex Luger)

*June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many saywas the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie)

*June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivalsand friends)

*July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and theplans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and thenight where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combinedfor a joint show and what happened)

*August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on thecontroversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well ashistorical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores)

*September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with theseeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s,Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holdingworld title and much more)

*October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story ofRoad Warrior Hawk)

*February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over BrockLesnar)

*March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought thecompany down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how thebusiness changed)

*March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and bestand worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers andWrestlemania history books)

*July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and hisbackground with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan)

*July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments onBruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley)

*August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling)

*August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the yearwith huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund,Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this countsas one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately,due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas)

*October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as detailsof the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide inpro wrestling history, Jim Barnett)

*November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angleand Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in thehistory of TNA)

*January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company)

*March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and alook at their Hall of Fame)

*May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido)

*June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW,as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming andbehind the scenes of both shows)

*July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look atthe fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings,Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmentalterritory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sizedissue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of PaulHeyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame)

*September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling)

*October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior)

*November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, doubleissue $6 on its own and $7 overseas)

*January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus NewYear's Eve 2005 coverage)

*January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas)

*April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of RollerDerby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever)

*April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fameweek)

*July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World ClassChampionship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling)

*September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fameinductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong andHiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world fromthe 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not workingin Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7overseas)

*October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy ofBrian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made himtick as his real objectives)

*November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challengedMcMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW andwhy it didn't click)

*December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion andPart four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and whythere was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the realreasons the company fell apart)

*September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of ourmost in-depth bios)

You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in NorthAmerica or $5 overseas.

Rates are:

For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to
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. For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for52 .

If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range.We also have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more aboutthe subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk,Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods. To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter.

--Brandon Vera, Antonio McKee and Marcus Davis were all cut following their losses on Saturday night's UFC 124 PPV.

--Due to all the bowl games, ESPN averaged a 5.3 rating in prime time last week, which would be the highest rating I can recall any cable network has averaged in prime time in years if ever over a full week. USA was No. 2 at 2.0. Syfy Was No. 18 at 0.8 and Spike was not top 25. As it turns out, the second hour of Raw was actually No. 24 for the week, not No. 22 as the first listing we were given had.

--Not a wrestling story, but it involves Raw every fall, as ESPN and the NFL are negotiating a huge increase in rights fees for Monday Night Football for a new deal priced at $1.8 billion to $1.9 billion per year. The money figure has been worked out, as well as the length, but it may take weeks to finish the contract. Sports Business Daily reported today it would be either a nine year or a ten year deal.

--ESPN and several other MMA sources have reported Nate Marquardt as the replacement for Chael Sonnen against Yoshihiro Akiyama on the UFC's 3/19 show in Newark.

--The Toronto Star today reported that people are selling bogus tickets to the UFC show at Rogers Centre in Toronto on web sites. It should be noted that tickets have not even gone on sale for the show. Tickets for the fan expo in Toronto are on sale. I don't know if they are saying this to be conservative or they really are going to limit seating, but UFC officials have been saying the full 60,000+ seats won't be open and they are looking at around 30,000 for the show.

--Weigh-ins for Strikeforce are at 4:30 p.m. today at the Doubletree Hotel in Nashville

--UFC Fight Club pre sale for the 3/19 show in Newark headlined by Shogun Rua vs. Rashad Evans for the middleweight title and Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Wineland will start on Tuesday. Tickets for the 3/3 show in Louisville at the KFC Yum! Center headlined by Diego Sanchez vs. Martin Kampmann go on sale to Fight Club members on 1/12. Tickets to the public go on sale for both shows on Thursday and Friday of next wee, respectively.

--Chuck Liddell will be appearing on this coming Wednesday's episode of Blue Mountain State on Spike, playing the role of Chuck Liddell (thanks to Steve Voeller)

--On last night's episode, Radon, the quarterback of the fictitious college football team, was wearing a TNA T-shirt for almost the entire episode. I guess that confirms it as fictitious.

--Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Kane & Alberto Del Rio was announced as the dark match main event for the 1/25 Smackdown taping in Cincinnati (thanks to Brian Henke)

--The business web site ycharts.com has a story about WWE stock. It talks about how every quarter its profits are lower than the dividend paid and how that's not good in the long run. Well, the deal is they have a lot of cash on hand and are giving it to shareholders in dividend form. Unless business picks way up, the current dividend is not sustainable.

--Fozzy with Chris Jericho play on 1/13 at 6:30 p.m. at Whisky a Go Go in the Los Angeles area.

--As of at least first thing this morning, a decision was not made regarding whether Alistair Overeem's fight with Fabricio Werdum will be a three round non-title fight or five round title fight in the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament. The basic gist is they don't want different rules for different matches, but they do want the title in play as part of the tournament, so they are working on a consistent solution if that's possible.

--Odds for first round matches

Fedor Emelianenko -500

Antonio Silva +300

Sergei Kharitonov -100

Andrei Arlovski -130

Alistair Overeem -270

Fabricio Werdum +210

Josh Barnett -300

Brett Rogers +240

--Tickets for the Strikeforce 2/12 show in East Rutherford,. NJ go on sale to the public on 1/14, with a pre sale to Strikeforce newsletter subscribers on 1/12.

--Scott Coker will be on Inside MMA on ESPN 2 tomorrow night talking about the tournament.

--Poll on Raw from Monday

Excellent 23.8%

Good 46.7%

Average 13.6%

Fair 5.6%

Poor 10.3%

10.5% of those responding didn't see the show

--Poll on ROH TV from Monday

Excellent 54.0%

Good 32.0%

Average 4.0%

Fair 6.0%

Poor 4.0%

63.5% of those responding didn't see the show

--What was the biggest news story of July?

UFC 116 Lesnar vs. Carwin 54.6%

Paul Heyman doesn't go to TNA 15.1%

Ricky Steamboat badly injured, career finished, due to bleeding on the brain 14.3%

--Evolve announced its fan awards for 2010. Best card was Evolve 5 headlined by Bryan Danielson vs. Munenori Sawa. Match of the Year was Danielson vs. Sawa. MVP was Chuck Taylor. Breakout star was Chuck Taylor. Breakout match was Sawa vs. TJP.

--New Era Wrestling on 1/22 in Shelbyville, IN at the Boys Club

--Dustin Diamond, Screech from Saved by the Bell, who was on Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Wrestling and has done a few indie shows including TNA over the years, is now taking wrestling bookings at
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